U.S. patent application number 14/428237 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-20 for security arrangement in a multi-function passenger carrier.
This patent application is currently assigned to Thule Child Transport Systems Ltd. The applicant listed for this patent is THULE CHILD TRANSPORT SYSTEMS LTD.. Invention is credited to Wesley Fleming.
Application Number | 20150232115 14/428237 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47018086 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150232115 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fleming; Wesley |
August 20, 2015 |
Security Arrangement In A Multi-Function Passenger Carrier
Abstract
A multi-function passenger carrier includes a carrier frame and
a passenger compartment within the carrier frame, the passenger
carrier including first and second means for attaching a first and
a second accessory to the carrier frame. The carrier frame includes
a security arrangement having a first blocking arrangement for
blocking attachment of the first accessory to the carrier frame, a
second blocking arrangement for blocking attachment of the second
accessory to the carrier frame, first control means for controlling
activation and deactivation of the first blocking arrangement,
second control means for controlling activation and deactivation of
the second blocking arrangement, a connecting member connecting the
first control means with the second control means. The first and
second control means are arranged to interact through the
connecting member to cause the first blocking arrangement to be
activated when the second blocking arrangement is inactivated.
Inventors: |
Fleming; Wesley; (Calgary,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THULE CHILD TRANSPORT SYSTEMS LTD. |
Calgary |
|
CA |
|
|
Assignee: |
Thule Child Transport Systems
Ltd
Calgary
CA
|
Family ID: |
47018086 |
Appl. No.: |
14/428237 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
October 9, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA2013/050760 |
371 Date: |
March 13, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/656 ;
280/657; 280/658 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B 7/06 20130101; B62B
7/145 20130101; B62B 9/12 20130101; B62B 2205/104 20130101; B62B
9/005 20130101; B62K 27/003 20130101; B62K 17/00 20130101; B62B
2301/00 20130101; B62K 27/12 20130101; B62B 7/044 20130101; B62K
13/00 20130101; B62B 9/24 20130101; B62B 9/28 20130101; B62B 7/008
20130101; B62B 5/064 20130101; B62B 5/082 20130101; B62B 7/126
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62B 7/12 20060101
B62B007/12; B62B 5/08 20060101 B62B005/08; B62B 5/06 20060101
B62B005/06; B62K 27/12 20060101 B62K027/12; B62K 27/00 20060101
B62K027/00; B62B 7/14 20060101 B62B007/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 15, 2012 |
EP |
12188528.9 |
Claims
1. A multi-function passenger carrier comprising: a carrier frame;
and a passenger compartment within said carrier frame, said
passenger carrier comprising first and second means for attaching a
first and a second accessory to said carrier frame, wherein said
carrier frame comprises a security arrangement comprising: a first
blocking arrangement for blocking attachment of said first
accessory to said carrier frame, a second blocking arrangement for
blocking attachment of said second accessory to said carrier frame,
first control means for controlling activation and deactivation of
said first blocking arrangement, second control means for
controlling activation and deactivation of said second blocking
arrangement, and a connecting member connecting said first control
means with said second control means, said first and second control
means being arranged to interact through said connecting member to
cause said first blocking arrangement to be activated when said
second blocking arrangement is inactivated.
2. A multi-function passenger carrier according to claim 1, wherein
said second blocking arrangement is caused to be activated when
said first blocking arrangement is inactivated.
3. A multi-function passenger carrier according to claim 1, wherein
said first means for attaching an accessory to a part of said
passenger carrier frame is a means for attaching an accessory to a
lower part of said passenger carrier frame and said second means
for attaching an accessory to a passenger carrier frame is a means
for attaching an accessory to an upper part of said passenger
carrier frame.
4. A multi-function passenger carrier according to claim 1, wherein
said first means for attaching an accessory to said carrier frame
comprises a holder for a drawbar.
5. A multi-function passenger carrier according to claim 4, said
passenger carrier having a front portion and a rear portion in a
longitudinal direction, an upper portion and a lower portion in a
vertical direction and two side portions in a transverse direction,
wherein said holder is arranged at said front portion of said
passenger carrier and at said lower portion of said passenger
carrier.
6. A multi-function passenger carrier according to claim 4, wherein
said holder comprises a channel for inserting an end of said
drawbar.
7. A multi-function passenger carrier according to claim 6, wherein
said first blocking arrangement comprises a blocking arm which is
movable between an active blocking position with a portion of said
blocking arm obstructing said channel in said holder and an
inactive accessory receiving position wherein said blocking arm is
completely withdrawn from said channel in said holder.
8. A multi-function passenger carrier according to claim 1, wherein
said second means for attaching an accessory to said carrier frame
comprises a cargo holder.
9. A multi-function passenger carrier according to claim 8, wherein
said cargo holder is a baby seat holder.
10. A multi-function passenger carrier according to claim 8, said
passenger carrier having a front portion and a rear portion in a
longitudinal direction, an upper portion and a lower portion in a
vertical direction and two side portions in a transverse direction,
wherein said cargo holder is arranged at said upper portion of said
passenger carrier.
11. A multi-function passenger carrier according to claim 1,
wherein a push-handle is connected to said carrier frame.
12. A multi-function passenger carrier according to claim 11,
wherein said push-handle is hingedly connected to said carrier
frame and is arranged to assume at least two different positions in
relation to said carrier frame.
13. A multi-function passenger carrier according to claim 12,
wherein said push-handle is comprised in said second blocking
arrangement.
14. A multi-function passenger carrier according to claim 13,
wherein said push-handle is arranged to block attachment of said
second accessory when said push-handle is in a forwardly tilted
position on said carrier frame.
15. A multi-function passenger carrier according to claim 14,
wherein said second blocking arrangement comprises means for
locking said push-handle in said forwardly tilted position.
16. A multi-function passenger carrier according to claim 1,
wherein said connecting member comprises a flexible elongated
element.
17. A multi-function passenger carrier according to claim 15,
wherein said carrier frame comprises at least one hollow frame
element and said flexible elongated element is arranged within said
at least one hollow frame element.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to
European Patent Application No. 12188528.9 filed Oct. 15, 2012
under the title SECURITY ARRANGEMENT IN A MULTI-FUNCTION PASSENGER
CARRIER.
[0002] The content of the above patent application is hereby
expressly incorporated by reference into the detailed description
hereof.
FIELD
[0003] The invention pertains to a multi-function passenger carrier
comprising a carrier frame and a passenger compartment within said
carrier frame, said passenger carrier comprising first and second
means for attaching a first and a second accessory to said carrier
frame.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Passenger carriers, in particular child carriers of the
stroller type, are commonly made foldable so that they can be
easily converted into a compact and space-saving configuration for
transport and storage. Multi-function passenger carriers are
passenger carriers equipped to be used both as trailers that can be
towed by a bicycle or other vehicle or by a skiing person and as
manually pushed infant strollers. Combined strollers and bicycle
trailers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,171, U.S. D633,825 S,
US 2008/0143076 A1 and US 2010/0244405 A1. When decoupled from a
bicycle, the trailer can be converted into a push-type carrier
provided with a push-handle to allow the trailer to be pushed by a
walking person in a manner corresponding to that of a conventional
baby carrier or stroller.
[0005] It may be a further desire to adapt the multi-function
stroller frame to better suit being pulled after a bicycle or by a
skiing person. Moreover, a stroller-type child carrier can be used
in different ways also when in a stroller mode. Accordingly, the
carrier can be used as a jogging stroller, a walking stroller or by
a skiing person pushing the carrier. When using the carrier in a
stroller mode, it is commonly desirable to equip the carrier with
accessories that are coupled to the carrier frame in a position
where the person pushing the carrier can readily reach the
accessories. Such accessories include baby seats and other cargo
holders which may carry a considerable weight and which when placed
in an upper position on the frame may alter the center of gravity
of the carrier. The altered center of gravity constitutes a
particular problem when the carrier is used as a trailer, as the
carrier will then be placed out of control and out of view behind
the person pulling the carrier or riding the bicycle to which the
carrier is coupled. In such situation a top-heavy carrier may
accidentally overturn and the passenger or passengers may be
harmed.
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
improve the safety of multi-function passenger carriers such as
strollers or combined bicycle trailers and strollers.
SUMMARY
[0007] In accordance with the invention there is offered a
multi-function passenger carrier comprising a carrier frame and a
passenger compartment within the carrier frame, the passenger
carrier comprising first and second means for attaching a first and
a second accessory to the carrier frame. The carrier frame
comprises: [0008] a first blocking arrangement for blocking
attachment of the first accessory to the carrier frame, [0009] a
second blocking arrangement for blocking attachment of the second
accessory to the carrier frame, [0010] first control means for
controlling activation and deactivation of the first blocking
arrangement, [0011] second control means for controlling activation
and deactivation of the second blocking arrangement, [0012] a
connecting member connecting the first control means with the
second control means,
[0013] the first and second control means being arranged to
interact through the connecting member to cause the first blocking
arrangement to be activated when the second blocking arrangement is
inactivated.
[0014] In accordance with the invention, it is ascertained that the
first and second means for attaching an accessory to the carrier
frame cannot be used simultaneously. Hence, in an instance where
the first means for attaching an accessory is a holder for a
drawbar for towing the carrier and the second means for attaching
an accessory is a cargo holder, use of the cargo holder will be
prohibited when the carrier is coupled to a bicycle by means of the
drawbar. Accordingly, the security arrangement of the invention is
particularly useful when the passenger carrier is equipped to
receive accessories that may be mutually excluding from a safety
perspective.
[0015] The first means for attaching an accessory to a part of a
passenger carrier frame may be a means for attaching an accessory
to a lower part of the passenger carrier frame and the second means
for attaching an accessory to a passenger carrier frame may be a
means for attaching an accessory to an upper part of the passenger
carrier frame.
[0016] It may be preferred that the first control means and the
second control means on the passenger carrier interact in a
bi-directional manner resulting in the second blocking arrangement
on the passenger carrier frame being caused to be activated when
the first blocking arrangement is inactivated. In this manner,
activation of the first blocking arrangement leads to inactivation
of the second blocking arrangement, and vice versa.
[0017] The first means for attaching an accessory to the carrier
frame may comprise a holder for a drawbar for pulling the passenger
carrier by hand or after a vehicle such as a bicycle.
[0018] The passenger carrier of the invention has a front portion
and a rear portion in a longitudinal direction of the passenger
carrier, an upper portion and a lower portion in a vertical
direction of the passenger carrier and two side portions in a
transverse direction of the passenger carrier. A holder for a
drawbar may be arranged at the front portion of the passenger
carrier and preferably at the lower portion of the passenger
carrier. The holder may be placed centrally or at a side of the
passenger carrier. Two or more holders may be provided in order to
allow a user to choose a travel direction of the passenger carrier,
to choose a central or lateral attachment point for the drawbar or
to accommodate double-shafted drawbars. In a pair of holders, the
individual holders may constitute first and second accessories
which are provided with blocking arrangements to prevent
simultaneous use of the holders, for instance if the holders are
arranged at mutually excluding positions on the passenger carrier
such as at the front and back part of the carrier.
[0019] As is common in the art, a holder for a drawbar may comprise
a channel into which an end of the drawbar may be inserted and
locked in the inserted position. In a drawbar coupling arrangement
with a holder of this type, the first blocking arrangement may
comprise a blocking arm which is movable between an active blocking
position with a portion of the blocking arm obstructing the channel
in the holder and an inactive accessory receiving position wherein
the blocking arm is located outside the channel in the holder. In
the active blocking position, it is impossible to insert the end of
a drawbar into the receiving channel in the holder and the
passenger carrier cannot be used in a pulled mode either by manual
pulling or by towing behind a vehicle. In the inactive accessory
receiving position, the receiving channel is free from obstructions
and the drawbar holder can be used for coupling of a drawbar to the
passenger carrier.
[0020] The second means for attaching an accessory to the carrier
frame may comprise a cargo holder. The cargo holder may be a
luggage holder, such as a bag holder or a child/baby seat holder.
The cargo holder may be directly attached to the carrier frame
either permanently or in a way to permit the cargo holder to be
removed from the carrier frame. Alternatively, the cargo holder may
be indirectly attached to the carrier frame via an accessory
coupling arrangement. An example of a suitable accessory coupling
arrangement is the accessory cross bar that is disclosed in
European patent application No. 12176350.2. When the cargo holder
is indirectly attached to the carrier frame by means of an
accessory coupling arrangement, the second blocking arrangement may
act to block attachment of the cargo holder to the accessory
coupling arrangement and/or to block attachment of the accessory,
e.g. a baby seat, to the cargo holder.
[0021] A cargo holder, such as a baby seat may be arranged at the
upper portion of the passenger carrier in order to allow a
care-taker pushing the passenger carrier to have easy access to a
child placed in the seat. A further advantage by placing a cargo
holder at the upper portion of the passenger carrier, is that the
carrier assumes a compact and space-saving configuration which
makes it particularly suitable for use when walking in a city
environment and when using public transportation.
[0022] The passenger carrier is preferably provided with a
push-handle that is connected to the carrier frame. The push-handle
may be placed at the rear portion of the passenger carrier. Common
push-handles have a generally horizontally arranged gripping
portion which may be straight or curved and which is connected by
two generally vertically arranged struts or legs at arranged at the
sides of the passenger compartment. Alternatively, the passenger
carrier may have one handle on each side of the passenger
compartment or a combination of a loop-shaped push-handle and side
handles. A further type of push-handle has only a single central
strut to which a horizontal gripping bar is attached.
[0023] The push-handle may be hingedly connected to the passenger
carrier frame so that the angle and height of the gripping part may
be adjusted. The push-handle may be arranged to assume at least two
different positions in relation to the carrier frame. An adjustable
push-handle of this type may be comprised in the second blocking
arrangement and may be used in preventing direct or indirect
attachment of a second accessory to the carrier frame such as to
the upper part of the carrier frame.
[0024] Accordingly, the push-handle may be arranged to be tilted
into a position where it blocks or shields an accessory attachment
site. For instance, the push-handle may be arranged to block
attachment of the second accessory when the push-handle is in a
forwardly tilted position on the carrier frame.
[0025] The blocking arrangements may comprise locking means for
locking the arrangements in a blocking position or configuration.
The provision of locking means may be desired in order to prevent a
user from over-riding the blocking function and return a blocking
element such as a push-handle to a position where a second
accessory can be mounted on the carrier frame simultaneously with a
first accessory. The locking arrangement is preferably connected to
the first and second control means acting on the first and second
blocking arrangements and is arranged to come into action when the
first blocking arrangement is inactive and the second blocking
arrangement is active.
[0026] In case of the blocking arrangement comprising a
push-handle, locking means may be provided for locking the
push-handle in the blocking position, such as a forwardly tilted
blocking position.
[0027] The locking means is preferably triggered by activation of
the corresponding blocking arrangement. The locking means may be
any type of locking mechanism as known in the art, such as
snap-locks, locking pins etc. When a push-handle is used in a
blocking arrangement, the locking means may be a spring-loaded
locking pin that co-operates with a corresponding receiving member
which may be a hole or cut-out in a hinge between the carrier frame
and the push-handle. Tilting of the push-handle into the blocking
position will then cause the locking pin to engage with the
receiving member in the hinge and lock the push-handle in the
blocking position.
[0028] The connecting member connecting the first and second
control means may be any type of connecting member allowing the
first and second control means to be interconnected such that
activation of one of the blocking arrangements causes the other
blocking arrangement to be inactivated. Suitable connecting members
comprise mechanical connectors such as levers, rods, wires, ropes
and bands as well as electric connectors such as cables. A flexible
elongated mechanical connecting element such as a wire, a rope or a
band may be particularly preferred in a safety arrangement
according to the invention.
[0029] A flexible elongated connecting element may be threaded onto
the carrier frame and may interact with parts of the carrier frame
and with accessory attachment members on the carrier frame to
selectively block one attachment site in a pair of attachment
sites. The connecting element may be arranged to act on hinged
and/or spring-loaded portions of the carrier frame when being
pulled or tightened and may be arranged to assume a tightened
position resulting in a first configuration of the carrier frame
and/or one or more accessory attachment member and a relaxed
position resulting in a distinctly different configuration of the
carrier frame and/or one or more accessory attachment members.
[0030] Furthermore, the carrier frame may comprise at least one
hollow frame element and the flexible elongated element may be
arranged within the at least one hollow frame element in the
carrier frame.
DEFINITIONS
[0031] The term "multi-function passenger carrier" refers to a
vehicle that can be used either as a trailer that is pulled or
towed behind a vehicle such as a bicycle or manually pulled by a
skiing or walking person, or as a push-carrier or stroller used by
a person walking, running, jogging or skiing.
[0032] By a horizontal direction as used herein is implied a
direction in a horizontal plane of a passenger carrier when in an
in-use-position, i.e. while being pulled after a bicycle or being
pushed by a person.
[0033] By a vertical direction as used herein is implied a
direction in a vertical plane through a passenger carrier when in
an in-use position, i.e. while being pulled after a bicycle or
being pushed by a person.
[0034] By a front part of a passenger carrier or a carrier frame as
used herein is implied a part that is intended to be facing forward
in the travelling direction, either towards a bicycle if the
passenger carrier is coupled to a bicycle, or to be facing away
from a pusher of the passenger carrier when it is used as a push
carrier.
[0035] A back or rear part of a passenger carrier is a part
opposite to the front part and is intended to be facing away from a
bicycle or towards a person pushing the carrier depending on how
the passenger carrier is being used.
[0036] An upper part of a passenger carrier or carrier frame is a
part facing upward, away from the ground when the passenger carrier
is in an in-use position.
[0037] A lower part of a passenger carrier or carrier frame is a
part facing downward towards the ground when the passenger carrier
is in an in-use position.
[0038] A travelling direction of a passenger carrier is a direction
in which the passenger carrier is designed to be moved. The
travelling direction corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the
passenger carrier, and is perpendicular to the transverse direction
and the height direction of the passenger carrier.
[0039] Positional terms such as "upper", "lower", "underside", etc.
when used herein to describe the location of an element should be
understood as referring to a passenger carrier when in a position
for use as a trailer or a push-carrier. Positional terms are used
in a corresponding way to describe the relative positioning of
elements in a passenger carrier in an in-use position.
[0040] A carrier frame, as used herein is a structure comprising
frame elements defining the general shape of the passenger carrier.
The carrier frame includes the push-handle but not any wheels,
passenger seats, covering, etc. or any removable equipment or
accessories. The frame body is the part of the carrier frame
surrounding the passenger space. The frame body does not include
the push-handle.
[0041] The term "blocking arrangement" should be understood in a
broad sense as an arrangement that constitutes a hinder against
proper mounting of an accessory to the carrier frame. A blocking
arrangement may include a part or parts that physically block or
shield a mounting site to render it inaccessible for mounting of an
accessory or may function by physically altering the configuration
of a mounting site rendering it unsuitable for mounting of an
accessory.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] The invention will be described in greater detail with
reference to the appended drawings in which:
[0043] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a passenger carrier
without any covering and in a first mode of operation;
[0044] FIG. 2 shows the passenger carrier in FIG. 1 in a second
mode of operation;
[0045] FIG. 3a shows a horizontal section through a drawbar holder
constituting a first means for attaching an accessory and in the
mode of operation shown in FIG. 1;
[0046] FIG. 3b shows a front view of the drawbar holder in FIG.
3a;
[0047] FIG. 4a shows a horizontal section through a drawbar holder
constituting a first means for attaching an accessory and in the
mode of operation shown in FIG. 2;
[0048] FIG. 4b shows a front view of the drawbar holder in FIG.
4a;
[0049] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section through a push-handle hinge
mechanism in the passenger carrier in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0050] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a passenger carrier in a
first mode of operation; and
[0051] FIG. 7 shows the passenger carrier in FIG. 5 in a second
mode of operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0052] The passenger carrier 1 in FIG. 1 is shown without any
covering, revealing the structure of the passenger carrier frame 2.
The passenger carrier 1 has a front part 3, a rear part 4, an upper
part 5, a lower part 6 and two sides 7 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.
The passenger carrier 1 is a multi-function passenger carrier that
can be used in a trailer mode, e.g. coupled to the rear end of a
bicycle and in a stroller mode allowing the carrier to be pushed by
a walking or running person. The passenger carrier 1 in FIG. 1 is
shown in the stroller mode, i.e. without any connection to a
bicycle. Apart from the passenger carrier frame 2 and the covering
that is absent in FIG. 1, the passenger carrier 1 comprises two
rear wheels 8 mounted on a horizontal rear axis and a front wheel 9
pivotably mounted on the front portion 3 of the passenger carrier
1. When the passenger carrier 1 is in the trailer mode, it can be
coupled to the rear end of a bicycle by means of a drawbar holder
10 arranged at the front portion 3 of the passenger carrier 1. The
drawbar holder 10 is shown to be positioned low on a side of the
front portion 3 of the carrier frame 2. As disclosed herein, a
drawbar holder may also be placed on the opposite side of the
carrier frame 2 or at any other suitable location on the carrier
frame 2.
[0053] The passenger carrier 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be folded
into a compact transport and storage configuration by folding the
passenger carrier frame 2 at lockable pivot joints. Foldability is
generally a desired feature of a passenger carrier but is not an
essential feature of the passenger carrier 1 according to the
invention and will not be further described herein.
[0054] The passenger carrier frame 2 further comprises a central
push-handle 11 at the rear portion 4 of the passenger carrier frame
2. The push-handle 11 has a generally horizontally arranged
gripping portion and forms an arch-like connection between two
generally vertically arranged hollow side struts 12 extending from
the upper portion 5 of the passenger carrier 1 to the lower portion
6 of the passenger carrier 1 at each side of a passenger carrier
compartment 13 located inside the passenger carrier frame 2. The
push-handle 11 is connected to the remaining carrier frame 2 by
hinges 14 allowing the angle and height of the push-handle 11 to be
adjusted. The push-handle 11 is arranged to assume at least two
different positions in relation to the carrier frame 2
corresponding to the stroller mode and the trailer mode of the
passenger carrier 1.
[0055] The specific shape and construction of the push-handle that
is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 should not be considered to be limiting
to the invention, as many other shapes may be envisaged by a person
skilled in the art such as a pair of non-connected handles or a
handle arranged on a single central supporting rod. Furthermore, it
is to be understood that the shape and construction of the carrier
frame 2 may be different from that shown in FIG. 1. For instance,
the shape of the passenger compartment may be different; the
passenger carrier may have two front wheels, etc.
[0056] The passenger carrier 1 in FIG. 1 is shown in a stroller
mode and is suitable for being pushed by a person moving behind or
at a side of the passenger carrier 1 and gripping the push-handle
11. The passenger carrier 1 in FIG. 1 is equipped with a cargo
holder 15 which is adapted to receive and hold a baby seat in a
position corresponding to that shown in FIG. 5. As disclosed
herein, the passenger carrier of the invention may be provided with
any type of cargo holder such as bags, baskets, cargo plates,
trays, etc. and should not be considered limited to the baby seat
holder shown in the figures.
[0057] As disclosed herein, the cargo holder may be directly
attached to the carrier frame either permanently or in a way to
permit the cargo holder to be removed from the carrier frame. In
the passenger carrier 1 in FIG. 1, the cargo holder is shown to be
indirectly attached to the carrier frame 2 via an accessory
coupling arrangement in the form of an accessory cross bar 16 of
the type disclosed in European patent application No.
12176350.2.
[0058] In FIG. 2, the passenger carrier 1 is shown in a trailer
mode allowing it to be pulled or towed by means of a first
accessory 20 constituted by a towbar that is attached to the
drawbar holder 10 by being inserted through an opening 21 in the
front end of the drawbar holder 10 into a receiving channel 22
inside the drawbar holder. In the trailer mode, the front wheel 9
has been removed from the carrier frame 2. Alternative ways of
adapting the carrier to better suit being pulled as a trailer
include folding away one or more front wheels on the underside of
the carrier. The manner of neutralizing the front wheel or front
wheels which is chosen is not critical to the invention.
[0059] The passenger carrier 1 in FIG. 2 is further shown with the
cargo holder 15 removed from the accessory cross bar 16 and with
the push-handle 11 tilted in a forward position in over the upper
portion 5 of the passenger carrier 1.
[0060] The drawbar holder 10 comprises an internal first blocking
arrangement 23 and a first control means 24 for controlling
activation and deactivation of the first blocking arrangement 23. A
connecting member 25 in the form of a connecting wire extends from
the first control means 24 inside tubular hollow frame elements
making up the carrier frame 2 such as inside the hollow side strut
12 extending from the rear wheel axis to the interior of the
push-handle hinge 14. A second blocking arrangement 26 and a second
control means 27 for controlling activation and deactivation of the
second blocking arrangement 26 are arranged at the upper portion 5
of the passenger carrier 1. The second blocking arrangement 26
includes the push-handle 11 and the push-handle hinge 14. The
second control means 27 is constituted by a mechanism inside the
push-handle hinge 14 as will be described in the following in
relation to FIG. 5.
[0061] When positioned as shown in FIG. 2, the push-handle 11 is
tilted into a position where it physically blocks access to the
accessory cross bar 16, disabling attachment of a cargo holder 15
to the accessory cross bar 16 and indirectly disabling attachment
of a baby seat, a bag or similar to the cargo holder 15.
[0062] The function of the blocking arrangements 23, 26 and the
control mechanisms 24, 27 will now be more closely described with
reference to FIGS. 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b and FIG. 5.
[0063] With reference to FIGS. 3a and 4a, these figures show the
interior of the drawbar holder 10 as seen from above. The first
blocking arrangement 23 which is arranged inside the housing of the
drawbar holder 10 comprises a movable blocking arm 30. The blocking
arm 30 is movable between the active blocking position shown in
FIGS. 3a and 3b with a portion of the blocking arm obstructing the
drawbar receiving channel 22 in the holder 10 by protruding into
the channel 22, and an inactive accessory receiving position
wherein the blocking arm 30 is withdrawn from the channel 22 in the
holder 10, allowing a drawbar 20 to be inserted into the channel
22.
[0064] The blocking arm 30 is attached to a first end 25' of the
connecting member 25 and is arranged to flip around a pivot axis 31
between the blocking position shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b and the
accessory receiving position shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b in response
to tensioning and relaxation of the connecting member 25.
Accordingly, when the connecting member 25 is tensioned by being
pulled in the blocking direction B, the tip of the blocking arm 30
will move into the drawbar receiving channel 22 and when the
connecting member 25 is moved in the receiving direction R, the
blocking arm 30 will move out of the drawbar receiving channel 22.
In the blocking position, the connecting end of the drawbar 20 can
be inserted into the drawbar receiving channel 22 through the
opening 21 in the drawbar holder 10 as is shown in FIGS. 4a and
4b.
[0065] The second blocking arrangement 26 is controlled by the
second control means 27 which is placed in the push-handle hinge 14
at a second end 25'' of the connecting member 25 as shown in FIG.
5. The second control means 27 includes a compressible spring 31
and a spring actuating member 32, which will cause the spring 31 to
be compressed as the push-handle 11 is moved in a forward direction
F and the connecting member 25 moves in a direction R which is the
release direction R for the first control means 24 in the drawbar
holder 10. This means that simultaneously with moving the
push-handle 11 into the forward-tilted blocking position disabling
mounting of a cargo holder 15, as best shown in FIG. 2, the
connecting member 25 will move the blocking arm 30 in the drawbar
holder 10 into the drawbar receiving position, enabling attachment
of a drawbar 20 in the drawbar holder 10. In the position shown in
FIG. 5, a cargo holder 15 can be mounted on the accessory cross bar
16 while attachment of a drawbar in the drawbar holder is
prohibited.
[0066] The mechanism in the push-handle hinge 14 further includes a
locking mechanism 35.
[0067] The locking mechanism 35 in the push-handle hinge 14 is
triggered by activation of the second blocking arrangement 26. The
locking means consists of a spring-loaded locking pin 36 which is
actuated by a wedge-shaped member 37 and which co-operates with a
corresponding receiving member 37 which is indicated as a hole
inside the hinge mechanism. Tilting of the push-handle 11 into the
blocking position causes the wedge-shaped member 37 to press the
locking pin 36 into engagement with the receiving member 37 in the
hinge 14 and lock the push-handle 11 in the blocking position. The
locking mechanism 35 ascertains that there is no risk of
inadvertently or intentionally over-riding the blocking of the
accessory cross bar 16 while the drawbar holder is being used and
constitutes an additional safety arrangement for preventing
simultaneous use of two incompatible accessories. An additional
safety arrangement in the form of a locking means is an optional
feature of the invention.
[0068] The blocking mechanisms for the drawbar holder 10 and the
cargo holder 15 may be considered to be reciprocating mechanisms
implying that when one blocking mechanism is activated, the other
blocking mechanism is deactivated, as described herein.
[0069] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of a multi-function
passenger carrier 1 according to the invention. The passenger
carrier 1 is shown from the side without any covering, and with the
passenger carrier frame 2 and other components such as the wheels
8, 9 and the push-handle 11 schematically illustrated. The
passenger carrier 1 has a front part 3, a rear part 4, an upper
part 5, a lower part 6 and two sides 7 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.
The passenger carrier 1 is shown in the stroller mode in FIG. 6 and
in the trailer mode in FIG. 7. The passenger carrier 1 comprises
two rear wheels 8 mounted on a horizontal rear axis and a front
wheel 9 pivotably mounted on the front portion 3 of the passenger
carrier 1. In the trailer mode shown in FIG. 7, the passenger
carrier 1 can be coupled to the rear end of a bicycle 40 by
attaching a drawbar 20 in a drawbar holder 10 arranged at the front
end 3 of the passenger carrier 1. As in the FIG. 1 embodiment, the
drawbar holder 10 is shown to be positioned on a lower portion of a
side of the front portion 3 of the carrier frame 2 although other
locations are conceivable within the scope of the invention. The
drawbar holder 10 is similar to the drawbar holder 10 in FIG. 1 in
that it has an inner drawbar receiving channel 22 and a forward
opening 21 through which a drawbar 20 can be inserted into the
drawbar receiving channel 22.
[0070] The passenger carrier in FIGS. 6 and 7 further comprises a
cargo holder 15 in the form of a baby seat holder. The cargo holder
15 may be directly attached to the carrier frame 2 or may be
indirectly attached by means of an adapter such as the accessory
cross bar 16 shown in FIG. 1. The cargo holder 15 comprises an
upper part 41 and a lower part 42 which are connected by hinge
means 43. A guiding loop 44 is arranged on the carrier frame 2 in
front of the opening in the drawbar holder 10. A connecting member
25 in the form of a band is arranged with a first end 25' inserted
through the guiding loop 44 and with a second end 25'' attached to
the upper part 41 of the cargo holder 15. The connecting member 25
is threaded through suitably placed guiding elements 45 on the
outside of the carrier frame 2 from a first, remote side of the
upper part 41 of the cargo holder 15, horizontally across the upper
part 41 of the cargo holder 15 to a proximal side of the cargo
holder 15 and down to the guiding loop 44 where the connecting
member 25 terminates in a blocking rod 46. The terms "remote" and
"proximal" refers to the location of the sides as perceived by a
viewer of FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0071] Although the connecting member 25 is clearly visible in
FIGS. 6 and 7, it is to be understood that it may be arranged in a
less conspicuous manner when the passenger carrier is provided with
a covering. Accordingly, the connecting member 25 may extend
partially on the inside of the covering and/or in one or more
channels arranged in the covering.
[0072] In accordance with the invention, the drawbar holder 10
constitutes a first means for attaching an accessory to a lower
part of a passenger carrier frame 2 and the cargo holder 15
constitutes a first means for attaching an accessory to an upper
part of a passenger carrier frame 2.
[0073] The blocking rod 46 is shaped and sized to fit inside the
drawbar receiving channel 22 in the drawbar holder 10 and is used
to block insertion of a drawbar 20 into the drawbar receiving
channel 22.
[0074] In terms of the invention, the first blocking arrangement is
provided by the blocking rod 46 which is controlled by the first
end 25' of the connecting member 25 and the second blocking
arrangement is provided by the hinge means 43 between the parts of
the cargo holder 15 which is controlled by the connecting member
25.
[0075] The security arrangement constituted by the first and second
blocking arrangements in FIGS. 6 and 7, has a simple and reliable
construction. When the passenger carrier 1 is in the stroller mode
shown in FIG. 6, the blocking rod 46 is inserted into the drawbar
receiving channel 22 and prevents the use of the passenger carrier
as a trailer. In this mode, the connecting member 25 is tensioned
between the second end 25'' at the upper part 41 of the cargo
holder 15 and the drawbar holder 10 and keeps the upper part 41 of
the cargo holder in a generally upwardly tilted attachment
position.
[0076] When a drawbar 20 is to be inserted into the drawbar
receiving channel 22 as shown in FIG. 7, the blocking rod 46 is
pulled out from the drawbar receiving channel 22 resulting in a
slackening of the connecting member 25. The slackening of the
connecting member 25 in turn triggers blocking of the cargo holder
15 by allowing the upper part 41 of the cargo holder 15 to tilt
forward at the hinge means 43, thus altering the configuration of
the cargo holder in a manner to make it impossible to attach a baby
seat to the cargo holder 15.
* * * * *